Beren Hanover took top honours in Sunday afternoon's $10,500 Open Pace at Fraser Downs as he prevailed in a close finish for trainer/driver Allan Molloy.
Charging up three-wide from the outside post position through a :26.4 opening quarter, last week's Open winner and co-track record holder Sterling Cooper assumed command ahead of insiders Rock Allstar and Thedeadliestcatch while Cowboy Caper dropped back from between horses and remained parked out. Sterling Cooper cleared in front of the grandstand and the favourite proceeded to cut middle splits of :55 and 1:23.3.
Meanwhile, Beren Hanover went first up from fourth as the field approached the final turn, with Gotta Have Nukes following his cover, and those two outside horses took off down the lane. Beren Hanover just held off Gotta Have Nukes in the final quarter sprint, prevailing by a neck in 1:52.3. Thedeadlestcatch closed up the passing lane and edged by Sterling Cooper for third-place.
Beren Hanover, who had won his last Open start two weeks ago, was sent off as the 7-2 second choice in the field of nine and returned $9.60 to his backers.
Molloy trains and drives the five-year-old pacer for Dal Reo Farms of Pitt Meadows, B.C.
Beren Hanover (Rocknroll Hanover-Bet Me Hanover) has now won 14 times while earning $108,544 in his career.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Fraser Downs.